Polish Lowland Sheepdog

The name Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a direct translation from Polish Owczarek Nizinny. It is said that the Polish Lowland Sheepdog originated in the 1500s in Central Asia from the Tibetan Terrier and the Lhasa Apso. At the time, the Tibetan Terrier was considered an optimal object for trade and eventually arrived in Europe. This breed was then bred with the local Hungarian sheepdogs, including the Puli. The smaller Polish Lowland Sheepdogs were useful due to their ability to move and herd sheep and remain an alert and effective watchdog. Even then, the breed was fierce and fearless across different situations which may have scared off bigger dogs. The Polish Lowland Sheepdog was developed from a cross of these previous breeds in an effort to create a self-sufficient herding dog. The Polish Lowland Sheepdog was thought to be responsible for the creation of the Bearded Collie after a trade that occurred on a Polish ship in 1514. In the late 1800s and early 1900s, this dog’s expertise in herding sheep was widespread across Europe and it grew in popularity. After World War I, there was growing interest with breeders who wanted to selectively breed the dog. In 1924, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog was shown at a Warsaw dog show. After World War II, it was rumored that only about 150 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs survived. In 1957, the first Polish Lowland Sheepdog was registered with the Polish Kennel Club. In 1965, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog was exhibited at the World Dog Show, finally receiving worldwide recognition. In 1987, the American Polski Owczarek Nizinny Club was founded. In 2001, the Polish Lowland Sheepdog was officially recognized by the AKC. The Polish Lowland Sheepdog remains Poland's national dog and it is even featured on mail stamps. In Gilmore Girls, a Polish Lowland Sheepdog by the name of Paul Anka is featured in the show after the character Rory leaves for college and her mother Lorelai Gilmore needs companionship.